Man arrested in ATM extortions involving Berkeley students

OAKLAND -- A man wanted on suspicion of forcing UC Berkeley students to withdraw money from campus ATMs has been charged with the crimes after he was located in a Fremont hotel last week, authorities said.

Kody Alan Smith, 24, was charged with robbery and extortion in connection with the incidents and remains in custody at Santa Rita Jail in Dublin on $150,000 bail.

Witnesses told police Smith at least twice tried to pressure students into buying several magazine subscriptions, and when they declined, he walked them to an ATM in the Golden Bear Cafe and forced them to withdraw cash.